Pulse Detonation Combustors (PDCs) for Coal Combustion-Based Power Systems, Inc.--Adroit Systems, Inc., 411-108th Avenue, N.E., Suite 1080, Bellevue, WA 98004-5515; (703) 684-2900
Dr. Thomas R. A. Bussing, Principal Investigator
Mr. Russell Scholl, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82518
Amount: $74,998

This project will develop an innovative Pulse Detonation Combustion (PDC) system for application with coal-combustion based power systems. PDCs are projected to significantly reduce the capital and operating costs of the boiler/furnace hardware for new power plants and increase the efficiency of existing power plants. PDCs take advantage of the higher heat transfer of a detonative combustion process over the typical deflagrative combustion process used in conventional direct-fire pulverized coal burners, cyclone furnaces, and pulse deflagration combustors. The initial development and bench scale testing in Phases I and II of a PDC for coal based power systems would validate the efficiency predictions and demonstrate the benefits of the technology. The Phase I effort will focus on conceptual development activities that are critical to eventual proof-of-concept testing. These activities include definition of power plant requirements for a PDC, assessment of PDC/boiler interfaces, a preliminary design of critical components, an assessment of the potential plant capital cost reductions possible with the PDC, and a quantification of prospective efficiency gains.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Several attractive uses for the coal-based PDC exist in the areas of utility and industrial power plants, namely as a combustion method for boiler applications.